Trader joe

I am soo like my cats, no change is good even if it is a good change, I am
very slow to decide anything, Lee
Joyce wrote in message
...
lol! And I've been thinking our company needs a snazzy new convertible
for those
summertime jobsite reviews. G I especially like my sil's bmw roadster
and sonny
boy is really pushing the new cadillac xlr (trust me, neither one is
anywhere
close to being in the budget).

Please check with your accountant first though, in case I've totally
misunderstood
the new law. I really hate to mess up financial planning, or have any
nasty
surprises.

Joyce

On Fri, 5 Mar 2004 03:07:33 -0600, "Miss Violette"

wrote:

hhhmmm, will consider that, have been ogling a four door Dakota, Lee
Joyce wrote in message
.. .
The credit/debit card is nice because it isn't billed - the money is
taken
immediately out of the checking account. So in effect, it just saves
me
from
writing a check. I don't carry cash, I know I will blow through it if
I
do ...
but I think twice before spending what is in the checking account.
Funny
how we
all learn what WE can handle. g The other card is not kept in my
purse,
so if I
know I am going to be going out, I have to search for it. Guess it
helps
to keep
those impulse purchases under control.

We're also like you, save the money pay cash for the vehicles. I
currently do
have a loan on one, but it is a company vehicle so was a better tax
incentive to
do it this way. The other 2 were bought outright. And just in case
you
weren't
aware of it ... new tax incentive next year for businesses ... any NEW
equipment
purchased is 50% writeoff the first year (if I understood my accountant
correctly). Sooooooooo - it may be time to think about another
business
vehicle.
G

Joyce

On Fri, 5 Mar 2004 01:05:02 -0600, "Miss Violette"

wrote:

I don't like them because it is too easy to "need" more than I
actually
do,
I consider no credit cards sort of portion control for money, we also
save
and purchase car for cash when we can. Last time we got a 2 year note
because of the zero stuff and me wanting to trade the car we had
because
I
was too terrified to sell it privately, I just don't like anything
hanging
out there, am not overly thrilled with house note but hey, that is a
bit
away, Lee
Joyce wrote in message
.. .
I do agree, but also use my credit card regularly. Actually, I use
two
regularly.
One is linked directly to my checking account (debit/credit card)
but
if
you run
it as credit you get a cash rebate on every purchase. Not a huge
amount,
but I
average about $10/month or so. And $10 is $10 as far as I'm
concerned.
The other
is strictly a credit card, again with rebate incentive, 1% of all
purchases.
Doesn't amount to a lot, but it's better than nothing. So most all
other
purchases go on this card and the bill gets paid in full at the end
of
the
billing
cycle. I never carry a balance on the card.

My son just received his very first credit card, figured it was time
for
him to
start building a credit rating of his own. Guess he has learned
something
from
his mom and dad ... noticed that he went online and paid the entire
bill
off
BEFORE the bill even hit the mailbox. His logic was that he
currently
had
the
money in his checking account, and wanted that bill paid off before
he
dipped into
the funds for pleasure purchases. So far he says he will not put
anything
on it
that he doesn't have the money to cover. Time will tell.

Credit cards aren't necessarily bad, you just have to know how to
use
them
... and
not think they are a never ending source of your own funds.

Joyce

On Thu, 4 Mar 2004 05:39:26 -0600, "Miss Violette"

wrote:

best thing DH and I ever did was get rid of all credit cards. Lee
Joyce wrote in message
.. .
Yup, I don't know what it is with people around here. They seem
to
have
no
problem signing their names and going deeper in debt, not having
much
of a
clue as
to how to budget or wait until you could afford something.
Unfortunately,
my
oldest girl is the same way ... it's like she is trying to keep
up
appearances or
have people think she is something she isn't. Has had 2 homes in
4
years
(a
condo, then had a home built), now has sold THAT house and is
going
to
build
another (will never consider living in a pre-built/already lived
in
home).
She is
fooling herself when she says she is coming out ahead. The homes
had
to
be filled
with high priced lovely furniture, all on credit. Heck, I've
been
married
22
years now and still don't have a matching bedroom set .. and I
don't
care!
We've
had 3 homes sell in our neighborhood, all for over $300,000 ...
and
none
are grand
by any stretch of the imagination. I live in an older well
established
neighborhood of old non-fancy type homes, probably built in the
50 -
60's.
Unbelievable to me what they are going for, I have a tough time
comprehending it.
The most recent sale is my next door neighbor - and every couple
I
saw
walk
through the place was very young. I wonder how the heck high
their
mortgage
payment is going to be, and how they can afford it. Taxes alone
are
close
to
$7G/year (according to my neighbor). Oh well, my next move will
be
further west
... for retirement. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay west. LOL And believe
it
or
not,
it
didn't use to be this way. Homes were inexpensive, areas were
small,
residents
were long standing. I think with the tech corridors, came
transplanting
(as I
call it) ... move 'em in, move 'em out. Progress? If you want
to
see
some really
silly things, I should point you in the direction of a few new
schools
being built
in the Naperville/Plainfield area. Absolutely ridiculous, huge
monsters.
Hub
said the one he is currently working on has a food court in the
middle
of
the
building ... like what you would find in a shopping mall. Do
kids
really
need
this for an education?

That intersection has horrible vision during certain hours. No
trees
or
anything
to block the sunlight, too many people trying to move through a
busy
place
in too
little time. Someone always trying to beat the light from
changing.
Semi's who
would rather use their horns than their brakes, lots of kids
trying
to
make it to
school on time. Mornings and early evenings are the worse.
There
was
just
another fatal accident in that vacinity last week. I'm too old
to
be
in a
hurry
now, tend to wait everything out and make sure my path is clear.
On
the
bright
side, being a local resident we know the *back routes* and are
able
to
totally
avoid this area during the rush hours.

The theater wasn't much of an issue to me either, can't remember
the
last
time I
went to one. We normally wait until movies come out on videos -
much
less
expensive. But it was a place the kids could afford to go.
There
really
isn't
much around here for them to do, that doesn't cost an arm and a
leg.
Unless they
want to go to the $1 theaters (probably $4 by now) and see the
movies
that
were
released several years ago. G

Ahhhhh, I've become much too chatty about the ultra modern area
we
are
in.
g
I'm not big on change.

joyce

On Thu, 4 Mar 2004 02:44:47 -0600, "skiur"
wrote:

I love this part:

"That's what we get for living in the land of those that would
like
you
to
believe they are rich. "

It seems like every burb around here is like that and it's a
factor
of
the
over-inflated housing market. Atlanta is another area where
everyone
would
want you to believe they are well off. I remember going to a
friend's
place
that was brand new and looked great. Of course, a few months
later
it
looked like a tornado hit it-yes she and her roomie were messy,
but
it
was
cheaply constructed.

I didn't think that intersection was *that* bad, but then again
there
are
a
lot of people who are impatient and don't know how to wait for a
light.
I'm
sorry to hear about the movie theater-I am not a big movie goer,
so
I
really
can't add anything useful other than the AMC on Barrington makes
it
not
worth going to see a movie. Then again, I think the cost of the
ticket
has
a lot to do with it. Barely under $10 for a movie is absurd to
me.
I
can
wait till it comes out on DVD and pay the same amount as I would
to
see
it
in the theater-yet then I can watch it whenever I want to again.

Thank you for going to the basement for me :-) I'm happy to
know
that
my
favorite (Lemon) is one of the "cheap" treats. Then again, I've
been
known
to eat 2 at a time, but it's still less than a coconut.

"Joyce" wrote in message
.. .
I haven't noticed any freezing/refreezing issues with the
orange
sorbet,
but also
have it stored in a freezer that doesn't auto defrost. I have
noticed
the
skinny
cows, if kept in my upstairs self-defrosting freezer, do seem
to
alter
somewhat
after a few of these refreezes. G I have no idea if they
sell
well
at
our store
or not, all varieties have been readily available when I make
the
trip.
Ok, ya
had to make me trek down to the basement, didn't ya? G
Here's
your
point
counts: Coconut = 3.70 points; Lemon 1.60 points; Orange 1.78
points.
None are
really bad compared to other options, I tend to lean more
towards
the
lower point
options though.

You got it right, the intersection is Naperville Road ... or
for
us
old
timers,
Naperville-Wheaton Road (dating myself agin). That corner is
technically
Wheaton,
a few blocks south and you are in Naperville ... a few blocks
east
and
you
are in
Glen Ellyn. It is a nasty, nasty intersection - very
dangerous,
lots
of
accidents
and extremely high traffic. THAT is what I deal with on a
daily
basis.
You are
now in MY neck of the woods - maybe a mile or so from my
house.
My
daughters high
school is the next major intersection to the east (Butterfield
and
Park).
Borders
is one of the kids favorite places to *hang out*, as well as
the
Whole
Foods -
they love to go sampling. G The theater closed recently,
not
too
happy
about
that since it really was the only one that was reasonably
nearby.
Now
the
kids
have to do much more traveling, through much heavier traffic
(and
spend
much more
money on those ultra-fancy new theaters). Oh well, progress I
guess.
That's what
we get for living in the land of those that would like you to
believe
they
are
rich. G

Joyce

On Wed, 3 Mar 2004 19:39:26 -0600, "skiur"

wrote:

dh and I prefer the coconut with the lemon in second because
the
lemon
kills
off any more desire for sweet things afterwards-and they are
pretty
point
friendly if I remember right. I think the orange wasn't
selling
to
well
at
our store, it seemed like it melted and refroze at some
point.
What's
the
point count on them?

I love the Whole Foods at Butterfield and...oh whatever that
road
is
(Naperville?) and the bookstore, and the shops.

"Joyce" wrote in message
.. .
I'm pretty good with the surrounding suburbs, put me
anywhere
in
the
city
itself
and forget it. I am not a big city person, don't like the
crowds
and
hassles.
I've lived in this area for almost 47 years now, could
probably
count
how
many
times I've been in the city on one hand (and my older sis
used
to
live
there). As
my dad used to say, "I didn't lose anything there, so why
should
I
return". G

St. Charles is a wonderful town, my sil has her office
there
(state
farm
insurance) ... and Geneva ... well, haven't been there for
a
few
years,
but used
to love going shopping there. Tons of quaint little
specialty
shops.
I
guess I
don't venture too far from where I live as being surrounded
by
Naperville,
Wheaton
and Oakbrook - well, have access to everything imaginable
right
within
a
few
miles. I am not a traveler. LOL!

I have had trader Joe's coconut sorbet, and yes, it is
fantastic!
The
orange is
very good too. I love how they serve it in the little
shells,
rinds,
etc.
I also
tried the lemon, was just too tart for my tastes though. I
have
some
in
the
freezer still, forgot all about it. Guess I'll have to eat
some
of
those
this
week. G

Joyce

On Tue, 2 Mar 2004 19:05:59 -0600, "skiur"

wrote:

dh calls me a ranger because I always like to know where
everything
is.
Chicagoland is humungous. I figure I'll have this place
figured
out
in
the
next 5 years. At least it'll be something to do.

I used to live in St. Charles so I was watching it go up
for
a
while,
then I
moved to NJ and then back here. We did some xmas shopping
in
Geneva
because
I couldn't face the lot at Woodfield so we stopped in just
to
check
it
out.
Have you had their coconut sorbet? I think it's only 110
calories
a
shell.
It's to die for.

Julie

"Joyce" wrote in message
.. .
I'd been watching that one going up for quite some time.
I
pass
by
it
whenever I
go out to my brothers house (he is in Elburn). You do a
lot
of
traveling,
don't
you? G Thanks for passing on the tip though, I'll
take
a
run
out
there
one day
(when the weather gets nicer). I really do love that
place!

Joyce

On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 23:48:10 -0600, "skiur"

wrote:

Joyce,

They just built a new one in Batavia/Geneva (it's at
the
corner
of
Fabiyan
Pkwy and Randal Rd, Joyce) and for a Trader Joe's it's
roomier.
They
have
things that I haven't seen at my usual store (Arlington
Heights),
so
you
might want to check it out if you have a chance.

J

"Miss Violette" wrote in
message
...
Good deal part of the reason I asked what you guys
would
buy
is I
assumed
it
would be one of those huge places. Since you say it
is
smaller I
can
handle
a bit of shopping, Lee
Joyce wrote in message
news If you have the time to spare, just slowly wander
around
the
store.
It
isn't a
large place, my local store only has 5 or 6 aisles,
not
including
the
liquor
section. But it really is loaded with a lot of
things
I
have
never
seen
elsewhere. Have fun, and I hope you like it as
much
as I
do!

Joyce

On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 02:17:02 -0600, "Miss Violette"

wrote:

drooling to dehydration now... Truth is Joyce, the
only
cooked
vegetable
I
don't eat is cooked carrots, the only raw one I
would
rather
not
eat
is
broccoli, one of the reasons I am here now is that
I
just
plain
love
to
eat
most things and except for the items I am allergic
to
haven't
met
too
much I
won't at least try once. Chime away I think I am
dehydrated
Moore
reading
this than I have been in a long time, Lee
Joyce wrote in message
.. .
This is tough Lee, as I don't know what you like
to
eat
...
and
what
you
totally
detest (other than the low carb pasta - LOL).
So
I'll
just
give
you
my
favorites
and let you make up your own mind.

- British whole wheat english muffins (is the
only
place
I
can
find
whole
wheat
english muffins that work out to 2pts each)

- Blueberry bran muffins - these are more like
mini
muffins,
very
good
at
about 1
or 1.5 pts each. Be careful though! There are
no
preservatives
and
they
tend to
go moldy very quickly. If you buy in any
quantity,
FREEZE
...
store
in
fridge
when thawed for longer life.

- McCann's steel cut oatmeal - if you like
oatmeal.
Not
an
instant
variety
though.

- frozen lean cuisine type dinners: roasted
vegetable
enchiladas,
garden
vegetable lasagna. Be careful with these when
figuring
point
values
as
the
package may be considered 2 servings (still
pretty
reasonable
pointwise)

- the frozen fish is fantastic - this I usually
buy
half
a
dozen
packages
of and
freeze and really is my main reason for going.
I've
tried
the
halibut,
striped
bass, orange roughy, salmon, ahi tuna and
another
tuna
...
all
equally
as
good.
The frozen scallops and shrimp are also very
good.
Guess
I
really
haven't
had any
bad seafood from there yet.

- frozen fruit ... I love their berry medley.
Think
it's
raspberries
and
blueberries, very very good and different from
what
I
see
in
the
grocery
store. I
often have a cup of this with toast or english
muffin
for
breakfast
(thawed of
course)

- roasted red pepper with garlic spread.
Fantastic
on
sandwiches
(instead
of
mustard or mayo), different, hard to explain. I
have
also
used
it
as
a
sauce for
pasta, dip, lots of uses.

- not very point friendly: vodka sauce (a red
pasta
sauce
that
is
cream
cheese
based ... out of this world) ... crab ravioli
(in
the
fresh
section),
again not so
point friendly at 1 point each, but very very
worth
it
(with
a
smidge
of
the vodka
sauce served atop)

- In the fresh meats section they have a lot of
different
varieties
of
skinless
chicken sausages, all are extremely good. Our
favorite
is
the
italian
seasoned
variety, and the tomato basil (I think) ... I've
heard
all
are
good.
I
buy these
frequently and freeze them. I believe they are
2
points
per
link,
I
use
them
sometimes for sausage sandwiches (grilled),
usually
cut
up 2
or
3
links,
add to a
little cooked rigatoni or other pasta, tons of
veggies,
tomatoes
or
that
red
pepper sauce ... makes a reasonably pointed yet
hearty
dinner.
They
al
so
have
smaller breakfast sized links of the skinless
chicken
sausages
...
very,
very good
and 1 point each.

- If you like dried fruit they have a lot of
great
mixtures
as
well
as
packages of
individual varieties. One of my favorites is
the
granny
smith
dried
apple
rings.

- I've never tried any, but I've heard their
wines
are
very
good
...
and
reasonably priced. My cousin stops there
whenever
he
is
in
town,
says
it
is his
favorite wine.

Off the top of my head I can't think of anything
else.
If I
do,
I'll
chime back
in.

Joyce


On Wed, 25 Feb 2004 02:59:11 -0600, "Miss
Violette"

wrote:

OK we will be in the Chicago area this weekend,
I
get
a
trip,
time
permitting to trader Joe's. What would buy
from
there,
and
in
what
quantity
if money and storage were not issues, Lee, who
just
can't
wait